Toyota Frustration

thats a good looking truck. These 3rd gen tacoma just look so good - no better looking truck out there

 

Agreed. As long as Toyota sells everything they build and supplies are tight, they have zero incentive to innovate. Toyota is also slow to make changes as they want to stick with what is proven for reliability.

 

How do you like the core shifter? I've been mulling this over but shipping to Canada and dollar conversion have made it a harder decision.

 

Yeah it's a good chunk of change to be sure..
I like it, it does exactly what I expected it to do. Short precise shifts, that notchy positive engagement. Pop-click kinda deal if you know what I mean.
I forgot to order the NVH reduction kit with the shifter, which is basically two rubber pads, a cover plate, and bolts. For the ~10 bucks extra, I'd order it just in case you don't like the increased noise you get with this setup.
Some say they don't mind it or have gotten used to the noise, but I'd rather try and reduce it.

 

I wasnt gonna get into that hot topic, but I'm a proud member of the 2WD crew.

I did a deep self introspection after my last 4x4. I realized that the only times I kicked it into 4 was when I went looking for excuses to do so. Either I sought out a rock or puddle to get unstuck on, or I wanted to run in the rain/snow at unsafe speeds while proclaiming "now see, this is why I need uh four-by!" But at no point did I ever actually need it. It took a lot to realize that I'm not a special case, I'm just an average consumer, and for me the front diff is just a toy and little else. Even worse is the realization that I have had a lot more fun cruising the trails in 2WD than I ever did in 4L....

 

Right on. I love that feeling. Noticed that driving my bosses Camaro ZL1. That is good to know. Might as well order for only $10 extra. Thanks for the info!

 

so ford has the bronco which yeah sounds and looks pretty cool, lets see how cool it is after 200k. So jeep has a diesel. Its trash. Ide rather have a duramax colarado but those are even more shit

 

yeah they don’t seem to have the greatest quality assurance testing or something. It does seem they repetitively have issue builds and have a few great builds sprinkled throughout 100 years lol.

 

I think the main problem is the complexity and real world usage. The idea is good. My father in law is a die hard Ford guy and has had many simply because he can. All I know is I would never own a late model Ford without warranty.

 

Its very nice......I had four Tacos a Ranger and now a Ridgeline...Excellent truck ticks all the boxes. The next variation will be better looking...

 

I think complexity is hurting everything. We live in an era where decisions are made based on which thing has the most "features". Oh, well, this one has blue-tooth, and this one has eight speakers instead of six, but that one has a 10-inch screen and that one has 8, but this one has 6gb of membory and that one has 8.

It forces manufacturers to pack "features" into their product to be marketable, all the while, the overall product gets compromised. Its the same with motorcycles, adaptive suspension, lean-angle ABS, blah blah blah blah. What is the core function. Make sure that works before adding all that other nonsense.

I don't care if it has a 10-inch screen if I'm walking because some stupid relay in the middle of the motor fried.

 

a lot of people like those features, me being one of them. Every time I'm in my bosses platty f150 I'm like damn. Massage seats are a game changer lol

 

Compared to everything else basically. My OR premium had an msrp closing in on 45k (paid a little under 41k thankfully) and doesn't even have KDSS. A lot of the 2021 KDSS equipped OR premiums nowadays are $46k+. Pricey for a relatively simple, low tech, 12+ yo platform that has seen very little changes. For $45k, It doesn't even have many of the basic features you get standard in cheaper vehicles. No 360 or multi-view cameras, no BSM, no pano roof, no multi-zone or even auto climate, no full LED's, no auto-4wd, no interior ambient lighting, no auto-headlights, no wireless charging, etc... None of which bothers me really.

I'm perfectly OK with it being a simple relatively low-tech and rugged SUV and bought it for that reason...i just think mid 40's is overpriced. Cheapest 2021 OR premium in my area with no option except moonroof is $44.6.

Even comparing against Toyota's other SUV, $45k gets you a highlander in Limited hybrid trim and that's a relatively new and updated mid-sizer with a ton more features and tech.

 

Sure, I love my giant Navi Screen and birds-eye camera view. Makes parking in the garage easier, but my key point was What is the core function? Make sure that works before adding all that other nonsense.

 

Toyota is just that, Toyota. They tell you what your getting, that’s it. Back when the regular cab was available, no v-6 available in it. Now, no manual 4 banger, no manual sr5, no manual AC off road. Toyota knows you’ll buy, not matter how screwed up their line up is.

 

Welp, I bought another Toyota largely because what other MT options are out there? The 18year old Frontier? A Gladiator that's ugly and expensive and unreliable?

 

You are absolutely correct. I however think Ford has taken it above and beyond in their constant chase to be an industry leader. Nothing wrong with that but the results and consequences are scary. Look at the F150. I do not think a 10 speed auto transmission and the possible issues and such is worth the extra fuel economy savings. I may be wrong but I do not recall seeing such failure rates and issues back when 5-6 speed transmissions were the standard. This is part of why I went with manual transmission. Plus this "Sealed for life" crap is an issue with me.

 

IMO you buy a toyota for 2 reasons. Reliability, and resale value.

Changing stuff hurts both. If you're constantly refreshing engines there must not be a whole lot of time to RnD and QC them. If they're constantly updating anything mechanical or interior wise people are always wanting the new shiny thing and your resale values tanks (think hyundai/kia).

Toyota keeps what works and makes just enough incremental changes to keep people interested. It's like the apple of car brands minus the whole luxury aspect people seem to associate with apple products.

 

And yet, you bought one.

You can't really compare it to a Highlander, because they're different vehicles. What can you name that is comparable, but cheaper?

The fact that people keep buying them is proof that the price is appropriate. Sure, they're expensive. But, anything else that matches it's capability is expensive as well.

 

Like i said earlier, I love the 4runner. I love the fact that it is an honest rugged old school vehicle. I just don't agree with the pricing. I paid nowhere near msrp. I got a nice chunk knocked off but still felt the vehicle could have been priced less given the age and features. No way I would have paid mid 40's or msrp.

My comparison with the highlander is to highlight that the same company builds a mid-size SUV on an all-new chassis that is much newer and also much more technically advanced and with a ton more features for the same selling price. It isn't to say they're direct competitors but to highlight the value proposition. It's like the big 3 and their $80k pickup trucks. Folks are still buying them but it doesn't mean they're not overpriced for what they are.

That's what i admire about the upcoming Bronco. They will be offering a more budget conscious off-road trim level that is simple and they're pricing it accordingly while still offering an expensive loaded version for those who want all the bells and whistles. I have a feeling the next off-road trim 6th 4runner will be $46-50k and priced more like a luxury vehicle without offering any of the luxury features.